Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday ordered staff at the Ministry of Education to learn the languages of neighbouring countries to prepare for the formation of the Asean Economic Community.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, right, is at an education exhibition at the Ministry of Education in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Gen Prayut issued the order during a meeting of ministry heads. Before the session, he toured an exhibition on educational preparation for Thailand's participation in the AEC and educational development in southern border provinces.
The prime minister told Suthasri Wongsamarn, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, that to improve Thailand's education the ministry should have its employees learn the languages of neighbouring countries. Gen Prayut noted that Myanmar has already opened an institute to teach Thai.
He also told the ministry to work out plans to enable Thais to use basic English well.
For southern border provinces, the prime minister told the Education Ministry to take good care of the students whose families are affected by violent incidents. He wants them to receive full educational opportunities and have more access to jobs.